As part of a planned maintenance, Financial Center's online banking, BillPayer, and mobile application will experience intermittent service disruptions on Monday, December 12th, beginning at 8pm and lasting until approximately 12am. We apologize for this inconvenience. If you have any questions, please contact us during normal business hours at 317.916.7700 or 800.473.2328.

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Improving Your Financial Life

Shop Smarter on Black Friday

It's the biggest shopping day of the year. Retailers offer "one day only" specials and slash prices to draw in holiday shoppers looking for the ultimate bargain. Follow these simple tips to help keep your budget – and your sanity – in check.

Do Your ResearchThe best deal may not always be the 5 a.m. door buster. Look for holiday list items ahead of time online and in newspaper circulars to see what time special pricing expires and which store offers the best buy.

Prioritize the Early Shopping DealsBy 10 a.m., most of the best deals are gone, lines are horrible and stores are a mess. If you're looking for something in particular, shop for those items first and limit your shopping to stores likely to yield the best rewards.

Remember that your time is valuable, and ask yourself "Is the money I'm saving worth the three hour wait in line?". Also, check for those Friday specials online on Thanksgiving Day. Many retailers make door buster items available online up to 24 hours in advance.

Set a Budget and Stick to ItIt's easy to get caught up in the excitement of Black Friday. Make your list, set a budget, and stick to it. Resist the urge to pick up other items at store checkouts just because they seem like good buys.

Wait for Cyber MondayCyber Monday is quickly becoming the next big shopping day. If you can't get all the items on your Black Friday list or don't want to brave those crazy crowds, shop from the comfort of your own home the Monday after Thanksgiving. Many retailers offer great online deals, free shipping, and free gifts or rebates for those who prefer shopping online.

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